however slight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however slight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is minimal or small in degree or extent, often in contrast to something larger or more significant. Example: "The changes made to the document were, however slight, necessary for clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is, however, slight movement in Brussels.

The Guardian

Could this represent a policy shift, however slight?

The Guardian

Yet its effects, however slight, can be felt.

The New York Times

However slight, his footage was still a major subversive achievement.

The Guardian - Film

In any case, the discrepancies, however slight, were self-evident.

The New York Times

United States intervention, however slight, may have been one reason the attacks stopped on Saturday evening.

The New York Times

There is a risk, however slight, of being impaled on a parking meter.

The New York Times - Sports

This season, fans appear to be getting a reprieve, however slight.

The New York Times - Sports

There also is a tendency, however slight, to patronise the old man.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sian Davies had been a vengeful chaperone, regularly reporting her daughter's misbehavior, however slight, to Balakrishnan.

The New Yorker

But a pall — however slight so far — is beginning to settle over the town's business district.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however slight" to acknowledge a minor point before contrasting it with a more significant factor. This helps to create a balanced and nuanced argument.

Common error

Avoid using "however slight" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in contexts where simpler phrasing would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however slight" functions as an adverbial modifier, serving to qualify the degree or extent of a characteristic, action, or state. Ludwig AI shows its prevalent usage to concede a minimal aspect before introducing a contrasting or more substantial point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

16%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however slight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial modifier that serves to acknowledge a minimal aspect of something before contrasting it with a more significant element. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use across news, science, and academic sources. While versatile, it's best employed in neutral to formal contexts to introduce nuance and balance. Remember to use "however slight" to acknowledge a minor point before contrasting it with a more significant factor and avoid excessive use in casual conversation where simpler phrasing may suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no matter how small

Emphasizes the lack of impact regardless of the small size.

regardless of how minor

Highlights the insignificance despite the minimal impact.

to the smallest degree

Focuses on the minimal level or extent of something.

even if barely perceptible

Emphasizes that something is almost undetectable.

though scarcely noticeable

Highlights the subtle and barely observable nature.

however minimal

Focuses on the extremely low amount or degree.

even at the margins

Highlights an effect only at the edges of consideration.

in the slightest

Emphasizes the smallest possible degree of something.

by a hair's breadth

Indicates an extremely small margin or difference.

only just

Highlights that something barely exists or happens.

FAQs

How can I use "however slight" in a sentence?

You can use "however slight" to acknowledge a small degree or extent of something before introducing a contrasting or more significant point. For example, "The improvement, "however slight", was enough to encourage further research."

What phrases are similar to "however slight"?

Alternatives to "however slight" include phrases like "no matter how small", "regardless of how minor", or "to the smallest degree", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "however" when using "slight"?

No, "however" is not always necessary. You can use "slight" on its own to describe something small or minimal. The addition of "however" emphasizes a contrast or concession, so use it when that nuance is needed.

What's the difference between "however slight" and "insignificant"?

"However slight" acknowledges that something exists, even if it's minimal, before introducing a contrasting idea. "Insignificant" implies that something has virtually no importance or impact. The choice depends on whether you want to concede a small point or dismiss something entirely.